Alien (1979)

[Donachiel]

"Believe in the strangest things,
loving the Alien"

OK, so let's see how this goes...

Film Four, Friday 16th of March: 10:45pm

For the first Film Classification I've gone for one of my personal favourites. Originally penned for the title "Star Beast", Alien is a classic Science Fiction Horror, and the first Science Fiction film by Director Ridley Scott. It spawn a franchise of movies, comic books and merchandise, as well as the spin off movie 'Aliens versus Predator' - but we wont hold that against it.

When making this film, Ridley Scott had been greatly influenced by Star Wars just two years earlier. This can be seen throughout the film, as previous Science Fiction outings were very clean, clinical looking. Ridley Scott borrowed a lot of aspects of what George Lucas described as the 'used universe'. The effect of this is a grim and dirty feel, that gives the whole film a realism that was unnerving at the time, and a little more common place in modern movies. That said, very little about Alien has dated (the possible exception being the hair styles).

The surreal artist HR Giger designed the Alien of the title, to story designs from Dan O'Bannon and Ronald Shusett. His 'bio-mechanical' design making The Alien one of the scariest Hollywood monsters of all time.

Beyond the horror of the Alien itself, the scariest aspect of this movie was the monster that was the company. A faceless coporation, with motives more fiendish than the Alien creature they're willing to kill in order to get their hands on.

With some classic performances by impressive actors all round: Tom Skerritt, Veronica Cartwright, John Hurt, Ian Holm, Harry Dean Stanton, Yaphet Kotto. Not to mention propelling Sigourney Weaver into stardom.

Overall, this is a fantastic film, and a real genre maker. This film has oft been copied, but never bettered.

[THE V0NZ]

It's alright, but the fanny is way hotter in Starship Troopers (I & II).



EDIT: If you think Sigourney is fit you've got problems mate.

[Alpha]

I've always like the Alien films.

especially Resurrection when she's part alien herself. I voted classic cos it is

[anancientrace]

Dark Star was the original template of "Alien" wasn't it? Although the beachball for ET was hardly scary - unless it had been wielded by David Hasselhoff

[Snapper]

Alien although classed as sci fi is pure horror. Its a haunted house tale but instead of the house being at the end of an eerie street its a gigantic spaceship gliding effortlessly towards Earth. After the cuddly aliens in both Star Wars and Close Encounters in the preceeding years Ridley Scott managed to put fear of Aliens back in the minds of viewers. Essentially the film is a slasher movie in space instead of the protagonist being a child who has been wronged in some way and later sought revenge we have an unkillable machine that thrives on death. The horror in the film is provided after some great set up in the story as we see what its like to be living on a mining ship in the near future and we see the crew going about their daily routines not being scared one minute about the dangers of space, its not until that normal routine is interupted by a distress signal that everyting does not appear as it seems. Not wanting to give much away to those who have yet to experience the film I wont go much further to say that if you like your survival horror computer games then this is arguably their origins. Ridley Scotts second film is visually impressive with the ship itself becoming a character with long dark corridors, miles and miles of pipes and the usual bursts of steam one would imagine to be as common as a creaky floor board or a slamming door in a haunted house. Also arguable the greatest tagline on a poster ever "in space no one can hear you scream"

An excellent choice for Morninstarrs first film in the film club. I'm looking forward to hearing what other people think!

[anancientrace]

Also arguable the greatest tagline on a poster ever "in space no one can hear you scream"

Sorry Snapper, can I just forward my favourite for that award, recognising after yesterdays thread, they musn't be put in any sort of order

Twins with Danny de Vito and Arnie Swarzenneggar as said brothers.

"Only their mother could tell them apart!"


Pure nectar - rubbish film though.

[SFB]

Having seen it about 4 times already, the first time in a US motel room, we were not prepared to sit through it again. We watched a mediochre film called 'Birthday Girl' on 'Film4' channel instead and although it was only ordinary, (mainly because it was British made I suppose) it had all the mixes of amusement, tragedy, passion and a happy ending. The best part was that nobody got killed and justice was seen to be done.

[Earl]

It's not on till Friday, give it another try and let us know what you think. That is the point of Film Club.

If you have any suggestions for future selections don't hesitate to let us know.

[SFB]

It was deffo on last night, but don't ask me which channel, may have been on Film4 after the one we watched says Mrs E.

I honestly couldn't watch it again M, 4 times was enough!

[Earl]

Well at least review the film in question, you really aren't getting this whole "film club" aspect are you?